Independent front wheel suspension coupled as a unit to the vehicle frame



Sept. 23, 1952 F. F. KlsHLlNE ET AL 2,611,525

INDEPENDENT ERoNT WHEEL SUSPENSION COUPLED As A UNIT To THE VEHICLEFRAME Filed April 24, 1946 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 FLOYD F. KISHLINE ROSS H.PHELPS .JOHNSTON STUART volGT yNvENToRs AT TOR NEY Sept. 23, 1952 F. F.KlsHLlNE ET Al. 2,611,625

. INDEPENDENT FRONT WHEEL SUSPENSION coUPLED AS A UNIT TO THE VEHICLEFRAME Filed April 24, 1946 Ross H. PHELPs .10H Ns'roN. s-ruAR-r vols-rBY if T am AT ToRNEY Sept. 23, 1952 F. F. KlsHLlNE ET AL INDEPENDENTERoNT wHEEL SUSPENSION COUPLED AS A UNIT To THE VEHICLE FRAME 6Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed April 24. 1946 Ross H PHI-:LPS

JoH NSTQN STUART volGT l INVENTORS TH R AT TnRNEY Sept. 23,- 1952 F. F.KlsHLlNE ET AL 2,611,625 INDEPENDENT FRONT WHEEL SUSPENSION COUPLED AS`A UNIT TO THE VEHICLE FRAME l 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed April 24, l194eFLOYD E KISHLINE- ROSS H. PHELPS 'JOHNSTON STUART VOIGT INVENTORS TH IRATTORNEY Sept. 23, 1952 F. F. KlsHLlNE ETAI.

INDEPENDENT FRONT WHEEL SUSPENSION coUPLED A AS A UNIT TO THE VEHICLEFRAME Filed April 24, 1946i 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 FLOYD F. KISHLINE ROSS HPHELPS JOHNSTON STUART VOIGTl INVENTORS THE ATTORNEY Sept. 23, 1952 F.F. KISHLINE ET AL 2,611,625

INDEPENDENT FRONT WHEEL SUSPENSION coUPLED As A UNIT To THE VEHICLEFRAME Filed April 24, 1946 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 THE/E /l TTOE/VEY .PatentedSept. 23, 1.952

INDEPENDENT FRONT WHEEL SUSPENSIN COUPLED AS A UNIT. TO THE VEHICLEFRAME Floyd r. Kismine, Ross H. rheips, and Johnston Stuart Voigt,KenoshagY-Wis., assignors to Nash- Kelvinator Corporation,

poration of Maryland i b L. j Application April f2.4, 1946;-Sverial No.664,6? 21' '--l 1 This invention relates to wheel -suspensions and moreparticularly to an independent front wheel suspension for automobiles. vY It is an object of this invention to provide-an independent wheelsuspension for a vehicle which is simple and economical to manufacture.Y `It is another object of this invention to provid-e anindependentwheel suspension for a vehicle which will be completely assembled andadjusted before it is secured to-the body of thevehicle.v

It is another object of this invention to provide -an independent' wheelsuspension for a' vehicle in which Vmany of the parts are integralunits, thus reducing the total number of parts in the complete assembly.f Y f n -It is a further object of this invention to provide anindependent wheel suspension for a vehicle which will provide a smootherride to the occupants of the vehicle and also'easier steering of saidvehicle.

Further objects and advantages4 of the invention will appear hereinafteras the description proceeds and will be pointe'dout more fully inconnection with the appended claims. Y

In the drawings, of which there are six sheets and in which the samenumbers are used to indicate like members:

Figure 1 is a front elevational view of the invention as applied to thefront wheels of an automobile; .v

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 but enlarged and partiallyinsection and Ashowing the invention as applied to only one wheel of anautomobile Figure 3 is a top plan view-of, the'frame crossimember of theinvention to Whic'h'is attached a portion of the steering mechanism andwheel carrying means of the invention;

Figure 4 a front elevational view of the cross member shown in Figure 3;I Figure 5 is a sectonal-view'taken along the lines 5 5 of Figure 4` andlooking in the direction of the arrows;

.Figure 6 is aside elevational view of the upper-4 control-arm-carryingmember ;A b

Figure '7 vis a top 1view of thevmember shcwnf'in Figure6;`

Figure 8 is a top view of the lower control arm; Figure 9 is a sideelevationalvew of the control arm shown in Figure 8;

Figure 10 is a sectional view of the control arm shown in Figure 9 takenalong the lines III-I0 of Figure 9 and looking in the direction of thearrows;

Figure 11 is a top view of the upper control arm of the invention;

Kenosha, Wis., acor- :Figure 12 is a sideelevational view of the uppercontrol arm shown in :Figure 11; Figure 13 is a sectional View of theupper control arm taken along lines I3-I3 of Figure `12 and looking inthedirection 'of the arrows; and vFigure 14 is an enlarged View oftheinvention as shown inFigure 2. f i' Referring in. detail to thedrawings, the yinvention as shown in Figure 1 -isapplied to both of thefront whee1s'2 vof an automobile and cornprises a rigid cross member 4extending between the wheels 2 to which/is rotatively secured the lowercontrol .arms 6. The control arms Bare secured at their inner ends ltocrossmember 4 by bolts 8. I

Y Cross member '4 ifs fprovided with' a pair of towers IU on thev top ofwhich vare secured uppercontrol-arm-carrying'members l2. lMembers I2carry the rupper control arms I4, the inner ends of which are rotatablysecured to the members I2. f Wheel carrying pins I6 are positionedbetween i the outer ends of lower control arms E and upper control .armslI4 andare rotatably secured to the upper arms '6 by ball'andsocket-joints indicated generally at I8 (Figures 1 andZ) vand arerotatably secured to lthe lower contro1 arms 6 by trunnion connectionsindicated generally at 20 (Figures1and2). I

The Wheel 'spindles 22 on which 4the wheels 2 are mounted have portionsextending through apertures in'pinsgl and nuts 24 are threaded on'jsaidportions to l1 igid1ysecu`re spindles 22 to pins I6. To lupperc'ontrolarms I4 are secured rubber bumpers 26 which strikel members I2 whenWheels 'lare lowerede'xcessively. v Y

`Sheet metal `stampings 28 are secured to the top of cross memberll tobrace towers YI Il and also aid 'in securing the 'cross memberv 4 to theside rails 30 of the automobile frame. Stampings 32 are securedti) thetop yofcrossmember 4 and spaced from stampings 28 a distance suicient topermit side rails 30 of theframe to .be placed therebetween.Wheelhousing's `34 extend downwardly andI are'secured to rails 3Qbetween said rails'and` stampings '28. BoltsSIi-are passed throughaligned apertures in stampings 28; housn'gs 3'4, rails ASIT-andstampings 32 and have nuts 38 'threaded ion the 'inner 'Vends "thereofto rigidli`` connect said members together. IThe inner ends of uppercontrol arm'sl4 rextend through, apertures 40 in wheelhusings 34.r f

Looking at Figure 2 wherein the invention is shown morel in detail, itwill be noted' that V`the connection. I8 which connectsv the pinfl 6 :teAupper control armlll is'a ball'and socket joint consisting yofasocket-like'fmember 42 formednear the outer end of arm I4. In anaperture in the top of member 42 is secured a lubricating valve 44 forlubrication of connection I8.

On the inner surface of member 42 is .posif' tioned a bearing 46 withinwhich is positioned a partially spherical member 48. Member 48 has anaperture extending through the center there--n .e

of into which extends the reduced portion D of pin |6. e

A ball retainery 52 is positioned around reduced portion 50 of pin I6and is secured to control arm material.

deadening sleeves |60 and in this manner thc side rail 3|] isinsulatedin regard to the cross |4 by a threaded bolt 66. Retainer 52 is providedwith a bearing 54 designed r-to extend inwardly into engagement withball member 43 on its lower surface to hold member 48 in engagement withthe upper bearing 46. positioned around reduced portion 56 is a cuplikemember 56 which is adapted to frictionallyY engage the lowersphericalsurface of retainer 52 to prevent dirt, etc. from entering theball and socket connection I8. Cuplike member 56 iscon-` stantly urgedupwardly into engagement with retainer 52 vby compression spring 53which is interposed between cuplike member 56 andthe enlarged centralportion of pin |6.

Pin I6 is provided with a second reduced portion 62 formed near itslower-end. Around'reduced portion 62 is positioned a trunnion member 64.A metal .ring 66 is positioned around portion 62 between trunnion 64andthe lower end of the enlarged porti'on-ofpin I6.

A third reduced portion 66 adjacent portion 62 is formed on pin I6immediately below portion 62 and has a ball bearing 'I0 positionedthere.-v around on which trunnion 64 is carried.

Immediately below portion 68 .is formed a fcurthreduced portion 'I2 ofpin I6.. Portion `'I2 is threaded and provided with a washer 'I4 im-fmediately below bearing 16 to' carry said bearing. This assembledconnection is secured on the lower end of pin I6 by a nut 16 which isturnedon threaded portion 'I2 and held in a fixed position thereon by apin which extends through, aperture I8 in the lower end of piny I6.

As stated hereinbefore, Vupper control arm l| 4 extends inwardly fromconnection |8 through aperture 40 in wheel panel 34 to its-connectionwith member I2. l v j A trunnion member 80 having its vends extendingthrough apertures |16 and |18 of arm I4 (Figures 11 and 12) androtatable therein is provided with spaced apertures through` whichextend bolts 82 (Figuresz and 3). Bolts 82 ex tend outwardly through aplurality'of shims-Bll and through sleeves 86 which extend betweenapertures 236 and -248 V(Figure 7) otmember ,|2. On the outer end of-bolts 82 are positioned 'lock washers 88 and nuts 90 to form a rig-idconnection betweenl trunnionfmember 86 andk theemember I2. Shims 84 arepositioned between Vtrunnion 8i) and member I2 to adjust the caster. andcamber of the wheels 2. -It will be noted thatas the inner ends ofmember |4 are rotatablytcarriedby trunnion 80, the arms I4 are therebypermitted to be freely raised `and lowered. z

Rubber bumper26 is secured .adjacent ;the underside of raised portion|82 of arm I4 .bya bolt 94 which is molded in the rubber bumperv 26- andextends upwardlythrough aperture. |84 (Figure l2) and the nut 96 turnedon the outer end of bolt 64.

The connection between the' side rail 3|]V of' theV comprised of a bolt36 extending -rst through an member 4." As .stated before, the inner endof bolt 36 is provided with a nut A38 which holds this .connectiontogether.

To Vthe outer'en'ds of the cross member 4 are `secured brackets 62(Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4) on the Below retainer 52 and j ond washer |46simil-ar to washer |42.

bottoml of which are secured rubber bumpers ||l4 (Figures and 2) bybolts |86 which are molded in the bumpers |64 and extend upwardlythrough apertures in the lower sides of brackets |82 and have nuts |08turned on the upper ends thereof. Bumper |64 is designed toA engage. thedownwardly cupped portions-1160i lower control arms 6 when wheels 2 areraised excessively.

. Tower IIl extends upwardly Vthrough, aligned iianged apertures in-thebottom and top of cross member 4 `and at its bottom has a radiallyextending peripheralgflange ||2 (Figures 2 and 3) which abuts-thebottomvof cross-member 4 and is welded thereto. The aperture in thebottom of cross member 4through which tower I6 extends is defined byanupwardly extending pe ripheral flange ||4.which iswelded to tower I0.The aperture `in the` top of cross member, 4 through which tower I0extends is defined by an upwardly extending peripheral flange I|6 whichis welded-totower I0. Nearithetop of tower I8 said tower is providedwith a rst reduced portion ||8 andimmediately above portion ||6 and atthe top vof. tower |I` is formed a second and further reduced portion|20. Y

Withinportion .I I8 of tower I0 is positioned a metal sleeve |22 whichA.has a reduced portion |24 which extends to the top'of tower |6. Withinsleeve |22 is positioned an insulator |26 of rubber or similar materialhaving a cross section denning substantially a right angle. Withintower. I0 is positioned a compression spring |28 having its one end`placed I against insulator |26 and extending downwardly therefrom towardlower control arm '6 toits seat on a second insulator |39 which issimilar to insulator |26.

Insulator .|30 is positioned around a tower |32 formed vnear the center'of lower control arm 6. This is more .clearly shown in Figures 8, 9and'V l0. Spring I28is retained in this manner between the topof towerAI0 and controlar-m 6 in a slightly compressed rstate and is subject tofurther compression when the wheels 2.are moved upwardly, thusproviding-a cushioned` ride for the vehicle.

Secured at its top in acrown |34formed near the center ofmember. I2 is-ashock absorber |36. The top ofshocl; absorber |36 is provided with abolt 38 extending therefrom through an aperturc I46..(,Figures 6 andVrI). Around bolt |38'below aperture |40 isy first. positioned acup-like washer|42.and then `a resilient grommet'I44 which abuts theunderside of crown |34;v

.Immediately above crown |34 and adjacent thereto and positioned aroundbolt |38 is a sec- Around bolt |3g8 rand-Yuponwasher*|46 ispositi-oned asecond grommet |48- similar to grommet |44. Upon grommet 48isvpositioned a Washer |58 similar to washers |42 and |48 but invertedwith respect thereto.

On the upper end -o'f bolt 38 is threaded -a'fnut |52 which is turneddownwardly thereon t-o pull lbolt |38 and shock absorber |36 upwardly tocompress grommets |44 and |48 and thereby form a semi-rigid upperconnection for shock absomber |36. From this upper connection justdescribed, shock absorber |36 extends ydownwar-dly through an aperture|54 (Figures 2 and 3) in the top of the tower and a second aperture` |56lin the top of sleeve |22, said aperture |56 being in alignment withaperture |54. Y

Shock absorber |3'6 extends downwardly substantially through the centerof spring |28 to its bottom where it is dei-ined by a downwardlyextending bolt |58 which is identical to bolt |38 on the upper end lofshock absorber |36. Bolt |58 is secured to crown |62 of plate |60 inexactly the same manner as Ibolt |38 is secured to crown |34 of member|2. The central portion of plate |60 defines a crown |62 extendingupwardly as ldoes crown |34 of member l2. Plate |60 is secured tocontrol arm 6 by bolts |64 which extend upwardly through -alignedapertures in plate |60 and the top of lcrown |32 of arm 6 and have nuts|66 turned on the upper threaded ends thereof. Crown |62 extendsupwardly through aperture |68 (Figures 8, 9 :and l0) formed -in crown|32 of lower arm 6.

The upper control arm I4 is shown in detail in Figures 11, 12 and 13.Arm |4 iis composed of Ia pair of channel portions |69 extending out-Wardly in a converging manner and joined Itogether by a web portion |10.A flange |12 (Figure 12) extends around the outer end portion |10 andjoins the outer walls |14 of the Ichannel portions |69.

' Near the inner ends of members |69 are formed aligned apertures |16formed in walls |14'and a second pair ofl aligned apertures |16 of thesame diameter as apertures |16 but formed through the inner walls |80 ofmembers'lil.

Apertures |18 are in alignment with apertures |16 so that the `ends oftrunnion member A'80 (Figunes 1 and 2) may be positioned therein.

Web portion |10 is provided with a raised portion |82 extending Ibetweenportions |69 and having an aperture |84 designed to receive bolt 94(Figure 2) which holds the rubber bumper 26 in position. Immediatelyforward of portion |82, web portion 16 is provided with thesocket member42 which Elias been described hereinbefore in relation to Figure 2.Portion |'10 is further provided with apertures |86 around and remotefrom Vsocket 42 which are designedfto receive i`oolts 60 (Figure 2)which secure ball retainer -2-below the socket 42. I

It will be-noted that the upper -control -arm I4 may be stamped out of asingle piece of sheet metal. Lower control arm 6 is shown in detailFigures 8, 9 and 10, and is like upper control arm |4 is that it isprovided with a pair of channel shaped members |90 Vsimilar to members|69 andv which extend outwardly and converge to a point4` where they arenarrowly separated iby a web portion |92.

The channel portions |90 lconsist of outer walls |94 and inner walls|96. The downwardly extending outer walls |94 are each provided with anoutwardly extending ange |98 which extends along their lower outsidesurface only and are terminated near the inner ends 200 of the portions|90 as at 202. Flanges |98 ina like manner are terminated near the outerend 204 of' portions |90 asiat-206x i ..The web portion |92.is.providedwith :a first raised :portion 20'8 surroundingthe tower |32 formedtherein. Tower |32 as described before in connect-ion with FigureA y2 isprovided in itstop with an aperture |68 in which is positioned the tower|62 (Figure 2) of mem-ber |160 (Figure 2) as described hereinbefore.Tower |32 is further provided with apertures 2 llwhich are adapted toreceive bolts |64 (Figure 2) saidlbolts being employed to secureImember, |60 to arm 6 withv its tower |62 positioned within aperture)Web |92 is provided with raised ribs 2 |2 which extend Iradially aboutthec'enter'of aperture |68 and a-re .formedwith their innerends 'withinthe periphery lof vraised portion 208. RibsV 2|2 are providedv tostrengthen arm 6. A outwardly from Vthe raised portion 208 web |92 isprovidedwth a dished portion l |0 described in connection with Figure 2.Portion ||0 is provided with an :aperture 2|4 in its bott-om whichpermits waterL and other foreign matter to escape from portion |||l` .Itwill be noted that lower control arm 6, like upper control arm |4, maybe stamped from a singlepiece of sheet metal.

Near. their inner endspthe channel portions 'are .provided with alignedapertures 2|6 in their outer walls |94 and aligned apertures 2|8 in.their inner walls |96. Apertures 2|6 and 2|8 are in alignment toIreceive bolts 8 (Figures 1 and 2) -by which control arms 6 are securedto thecross mem-ber 4. Between walls |94 and .|96 adjacent apertures 2|6and 2|8 are positioned metal washers 2|1 which prevent walls |94 and |96being squeezedtgether. Washers 2|1 are provided with lapertures in theircenters which -arefaligned with apertures 2|6 and 2|8 to permitsleevevbolts 'tobevpassed therethrough. Near the outerends thereon-walls|94 and |96 .are provid-ed with aligned apertures 2|9 and 22|,respectively, int-o which t'he `ends of trunnion 64 (Figure 2)l extend.Washers 223, similar to washers 2|1, are positioned between walls |94and |96 adjacent apertures 2|9 and 22| and are. provided with aperturesaligned with apertures 2|9 and 22|.

Upper control-arm-ca-rrying member |2 is shown in detail in Figures 6and 7. Member |2 is comprised of a lower stamping '220 whi-ch isprovidedwith a flat base portion 222 designed to rest on the top of `tower I0(Figures 1 and l2). Stamping 220 is provi-ded with a rstupwardlyextending portion 224 and a vertical inner portion y226 defining itsyinn-er end.

It will be noted from' Figure 7 that member 220 is designed basicallysimilar to the upper and lower control arms in that it is composed of apair of spaced channel portions 228 which extend outwardly and nearlyconverge at their outer ends.

Channel portions 228 are provided with anges 230 extending outwardly andinner iianges 232. Near the inner and upper ends 234 of portions 228 areprovided flanged apertures 236. The channel portions 228 areupwardlyopened and the second stamping 238 of member |2 is provided anddesigned to completely cover the member 220.

Stamping 238 has a pair of downwardly open channel portions 240 whichare provided with outwardly extending iianges 242 and inwardly extendingflanges 244. The channel portions 240, angesv 242 and flanges 244 ofmember 238 are designed to completely cover channel portion 228,

asin-c25 flanges 236 and `iianges .232. vof stamping 220. Portions 240of member238 are provided near their -upper ends 245 with flangedapertures 248 which are in alignment v with apertures .236 of member226. These apertures'2 36 and 248 are designed to receive the bolts 82(Figure 2) which carry the trunnionmember 66 (Figure2). which inturn-.carries the control arm I4.

.Member 12 isprovided with a tube member .86 extending between each pairof apertures 236 and 248and surrounding the iianges thereof. Members 86are provided to strengthen member 12, maintain said apertures in spacedrelation and form a housing-for boltsv82. i

Between channel portions 246,*member1238is provided with a web'256. Web250 is stamped upwardly to form tower |34, the function 'of which isdescribedv in connection with Figure 2. Near `its outer end,A member 220is provided with a pair of flanged apertures 252 (Figure 6) which are inalignment with flanged apertures 254 formed near the outer end or member238.

Adjacent tower 134 and opposite apertures 254, web 250 of member 238 isprovided with a pair of flanged apertures 256 which are in alignmentwith a pair of flanged apertures258iormed in portion 222 of member 226.Aligned apertures 252 and 254 are designed to receive bolts` which willsecure member 12 to the top of tower 10 (Figurer l). Alignedapertures256 and 258 perform a like function.

Each pair of apertures 256 and 258 are provided with a tubular member251 extending therebetween similar in form and function to tube members36.

The cross member 4 which extends between and carries the front wheelsofv the'vehicle is shown in detail in Figures 3, 4 and 5. Cross member 4is composed of a channel member 260 (Figure 5) having a bottom 262, a,Vsubstantially vertical front wall 264, a vertical rea-r wall 265 and ahorizontal flange 268 extending, around the entire periphery of member260. Channel member 263 is provided with a cover plate 216 which issecured to the flange 268 by welding or other suitable means. Cover 210is provided with a pair of elongated depressions 212 each extending fromapproximately the center of member 216 towards its ends. Depressions 212are provided for additional strength.

`.Within channel member 266 is secured an elongated A-shaped stamping214 having its top abutting cover 219 and its legs secured to the bottom262 of member 263. A-shaped stamping 214 extends between the towers andis provided to strengthen the cross member 4. y

yIn the sides of member 214 are formed av series of spaceddepressions-216 whichA make the member 214 more rigid. At spacedintervals between the depressions 216, member `214 is providedY with aseries of apertures 218.

On its underside at its center, 'cross member il is provided with astamping 286 which is provided with a downwardly extending peripheralflange 262. Stamping 239 is riveted to the bottom 262 of channelmember26. Stamping 280 is provided with a'flange aperture 234 in whichis positioned and rigidly secured a sleeve 286'which extends upwardlythrough a flanged. aperture 283' which is formed in the' bottom of theWell' 266 which is stamped downwardly in the cover member 21:3. Sleeve286 is rigidly secured within these: apertures by welding and a pair ofbearings 292 are positioned withinthe sleeve.

Bolt 295 (Figure 3) extends downwardly through the bearings 2.92 belowcross member 4 and has journaled on its lowerend the idler arm 296vofthe steering mechanism of the vehicle. The` idler r.arm 23S hasits innerend positioned vwithin theange 262 (Figure 5) .of member. 280 andisprovided with a pair of ears 298. dler arm..l 235 extends backwardlyfrom boltv :294 througha cutoutportion 306 of the member 280 to itsrearmost end to which is rotatably secured the inner end of the manuallycontrolled steering drag link 295 and the inner ends of steering. tierods 291.v The outerVv ends of tie rods 291 are rotatably secured tosteering armsl 299 portions of which are rigidly secured betweenwheelpins 16 and spindles 22 of each wheel 2 in asubstantiallyhorizontal position by nuts 24 (Figures l and 2) so thatpins 16 may be rotated thereby. This steering mechanism is manuallycontrolled through the'arm 301 which is rotatably secured to the outerend of link `235 and is oscillated to pull'and. push link 295 `byAenergy transmitted thereto through gears in housing 363 to which issecuredrthe lower end of steering column 305 adjacent the upper end ofwhich is positioned the usualvhand steering wheel. This provides thesteering mechanism for the automobile.

As idler arm V29B is rotated about the axis of bolt 2914 by link 235 ineither direction within cutout `portion 366, this rotation will belimited by the ears 293 striking the` ends'ZSl (Figure') of the flange282 of the member233. n this-man1- nera limitation on theamount thewheels of the vehicle may be turned is provided. .l

Shafts 332 are positioned within aligned ,apertures in walls 264 and 26Eof cross member. 4k and have threaded ends 364 (Figure 3) around whichthe inner endsof thelower control arms 6 are telescopically,positioned.Washers A.'it are positioned around each end ofthe shafts 332 and abutthe adjacent walls 264 and 266 of cross member 1.

Internally threaded sleeve bolts 8 (Figure 3) are turned on the threadedends 364 of the shafts 302 and are positioned within the apertures` 21Band 218 (Figure ,8) of the lower control arms 6. Thus the bolts 8 formbearings betweenthe control arms 6 and the shafts 332. Bolts 8 areprovided with an outer enlarged portion 310 which abuts control armspadjacent the aperture 216, thereby holding the control arms-in positionon the bolts 8 and with grease fittings 9 to provide means forlubricating these connections. Y

YStampings 28 as shown in Figures l, 3 and 4 are provided with outwardlyturned portions 312 which have cutout portions 311i designed toffit theouter periphery of the towers 1l). Stampings 28 arewelded to the cover211)- of the cross member 4 and portions 314 of stampings 28 are weldedto the towers` 1U. In this manner additional support is provided forsaid towers. 32 are also. secured to Acover 216 as'by welding.

While we have described our invention in some detail, we intend thisdescription to be an example only and not as a. limitation of ourvinvention, to which we make the following claims:

1. An independent wheel suspension .for a vehicle comprising a framecross member, aligned apertures formed in the top and bottom of saidcross member adjacent its end, a cylindrical member having apartiallyclosed top secured' within said aligned apertures and extending upwardlytherefrom, va lower control arm rotatably. secured to said cross memberand extending outwardly therefrom, an upper control arm rotatablysecured to said cylindrical member and extending Stampings tiresoutwardly therefrom, a wheel carrying member extending between the outerends of said upper and lower control arms and rotatably secured thereto,and a compression spring interposed between and abutting said lowercontrol arm and the top of said cylindrical member.

2. An independent wheel suspension for a vehicle comprising a frame, aframe cross member resiliently secured to said frame, aligned aperturesformed in the top and bottom of said cross member adjacent the endthereof, a cylindrical member telescopically positioned within saidaligned apertures and ex-tending upwardly therefrom and having apartially closed top, a lower control arm rotatably secured to saidcross member and extending outwardly therefrom, an upper control arm,means secured to the top of said cylindrical member and rotatablycarrying said upper control arm, a wheel carrying member extendingbetween the outer ends of said upper control arm and said lower controlarm, and a compression spring interposed between and abutrting saidlower control arm and the top of said cylindrical member.

3. An independent wheel suspension comprising a resiliently mountedframe cross member, aligned apertures formed in the top and bottom ofsaid cross member, a cylindrical member rigidly secured within saidaligned apertures and extending upwardly therefrom, a lower control armrotatably secured to said cross member and extending outwardlytherefrom, an outwardly extending upper control arm, means secured tosaid cylindrical member for rotatably carrying said upper control arm,Wheel carrying means interposed between the outer ends of said upper andlower control arms, a first spring seat formed in the top of saidcylindrical member, a second spring seat formed in said lower controlarm, and. a compression spring interposed between and abutting saidspring seats.

4. An independent wheel suspension for a Vehicle comprising a framecross member, aligned apertures formed in the top and bottom of saidcross member and adjacent to its outer end, a cylindrical member rigidlysecured within said apertures and extending upwardly therefrom andhaving a partially closed upper end, a lower control arm rotatablysecured to said cross member and extending outwardly therefrom, an uppercontrol arm, means secured to said cylindrical member for rotatablycarrying said upper control arm, wheel carrying means extending betweenthe outer ends of said upper and lower control arms and rotatablysecured thereto, a spring seat formed on said lower control arm, aspring seat positioned within said cylindrical member below its upperend. and a compression spring interposed between and abutting saidspring seats.

5. An independent wheel suspension comprising a resiliently mountedframe cross member, aligned apertures formed in the upper and lowerwalls of said cross member, a cylindrical member positioned and securedwithin said apertures 10 and extending upwardly therefrom and havi apartially closed upper end, an outwardly extending upper control arm, alower control arm rotatably secured to said cross member and extendingoutwardly therefrom, means secured to the upper end of said cylindricalmember for rotatably carrying said upper control arm, a spring seatsecured within the upper end of said cylindrical member, a spring seatformed in said lower control arm, a spring interposed between andabutting said spring seats, and a shock absorber extending through saidspring and haV-.

ing its upper end resiliently secured to the means for carrying theupper control arm and its lower end secured to the lower control arm.

6. An independent wheel suspension comprising a resiliently mountedframe cross member, aligned apertures formed in the upper and lowerwalls of said cross member near its outer end, a cylindrical memberpositioned and secured within said aligned apertures and extendingupwardly therefrom and having a partially closed upper end, a lowercontrol arm rotatably secured to the cross member and extendingoutwardly therefrom, an outwardly extending upper control arm rotatablysecured adjacent the upper end of said cylindrical member, wheelcarrying means extending between the outer ends of said control arms androtatably secured thereto, a lower spring seat formed on said lowercontrol arm, an upper spring seat secured within the upper end of saidcylindrical member, a compression spring interposed between and abuttingsaid spring seats, a shock absorber positioned within said spring andextending upwardly through the upper end of said cylindrical member,resilient means for securing the upper end of said shock absorber to themeans for carrying the upper control arm, and a second resilient meansfor securing the lower end of said shock absorber to said lower controlarm.

FLOYD F. KISHLINE. ROSS H. PI-EiLPS.y JOHNSTON STUART VOIGT.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in th file ofthis patent:

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